The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, met with the Director of the Palace Museum, Dr Wang Xudong, at Government House at noon today (June 8). The Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Mr Henry Tang, and the Chairman of the Board of Stewards of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr Anthony Chow, attended the lunch that followed.
 
     Mrs Lam welcomed Dr Wang's visit to Hong Kong at her invitation shortly after his assumption of office in April to learn more about the city's latest developments in arts and culture, which is a testimony to the importance he attaches to the development of such matters in Hong Kong and his support for them. Mrs Lam thanked the Palace Museum for arranging a number of large-scale exhibitions in Hong Kong in the past and its staunch support for the establishment of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, thus enabling the display of valuable artefacts of the Palace Museum for long periods in Hong Kong. In addition, the Palace Museum, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, has organised the Beijing Palace Museum Conservation Internship Programme each summer since 2017. The programme, which helps broaden participants' horizons and enrich their knowledge of heritage conservation and appreciation, has been well received by young people in Hong Kong. Mrs Lam expressed the hope of exploring further collaboration with the Palace Museum to enhance Hong Kong people's understanding of Chinese arts and culture.

     After the meeting, Mrs Lam witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Leung Siu-fai, and Dr Wang, under which pieces of timber seized and confiscated by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department during anti-smuggling enforcement operations will be donated to the Palace Museum for the repair and restoration of cultural relics and historic buildings.

      

     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at the Hong Kong Riding for the Disabled Association Cup Luncheon 2019 today (June 8):

Thomas (The Chairman of Hong Kong Riding for the Disabled Association, Mr Thomas Yeung), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon. I am pleased to join you all here at the Riding for the Disabled Association Cup Luncheon. First and foremost, I would like to extend my warmest congratulation and appreciation to the Riding for the Disabled Association for organising this meaningful and exciting race.

     When it comes to horse riding, some people may think of horse racing which, of course, has a long history in Hong Kong. However, riding as a sport is much more than that and can bring us many benefits. Riders tend to develop better reflexes, balance and body co-ordination as the sport requires the entire body to guide and propel the horse forward. Therefore, horseback riding is widely recognised as an effective form of rehabilitation and therapy in the medical sector.

     Beyond physical benefits, riding is enjoyable and promotes the concept of "challenge by choice" in which people are empowered to decide whether to participate in an activity. Our local Paralympian Natasha Tse also sees her sport as a source of inspiration and training for her body. Her success story inspires all and serves to illustrate how a life-changing sport can be.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to providing rehabilitation services and welfare to people with disabilities. The overall government recurrent expenditure in this area has increased from $16.6 billion in 2007-08 to $33.9 billion in 2018-19, representing an increase of over 100 per cent. The Government also spares no effort in promoting a sustainable sporting culture and implementing three broad policy objectives, namely promoting sports for all, supporting elite athletes and attracting more major sports events to Hong Kong. The development of sports for persons with disabilities is one of the major initiatives taken forward by the Government. We have implemented various measures to provide support and promote participation in sports for persons with disabilities.

     To name a few, we launched in February this year outreach sports programmes to provide training on bocce to 50 persons with intellectual disability at three workshops or centres. We will extend the outreach programmes to persons with physical disability, visual impairment and hearing impairment soon. In parallel, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has launched the Pilot Scheme for Priority Booking of Facilities, giving organisations of people with disabilities booking priority at four designated sports centres during non-peak period, with a view to boosting their participation rate.

     Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express my warmest appreciation to the Rising for the Disabled Association for their relentless efforts in promoting rehabilitation riding in the past four decades. Numerous children and adults with disabilities have benefited from the Association's free riding lessons and activities. Their enthusiastic and invaluable support helps substantially the physically-challenged and their family members to overcome obstacles and foster integration, contributing to the development of a harmonious society in Hong Kong. I wish the Riding for the Disabled Association continuous success, this year's racing game a resounding triumph and all of you a most enjoyable and memorable afternoon. Thank you.

    

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting today (June 8).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, yesterday (June 7, St Petersburg time) continued to attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Russia.

     In the morning at an SPIEF session on the future of Russia-China co-operation, Mr Chan shared his views on how Hong Kong help promote Russia-China co-operation. He also joined the SPIEF's Plenary Session in the afternoon.

     He pointed out in the SPIEF session that as a leading financial centre and global hub for offshore RMB business, Hong Kong's capital markets and listing platform can support Russian companies to raise fund. The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong has revised its Listing Rules to expand the listing regime to facilitate the listing of companies from emerging and innovative sectors. Hong Kong is also developing into a global hub on green finance. In addition, tax and other arrangements are in place to boost the insurance industry and Hong Kong's attractiveness as a corporate treasure centre for enterprises around the world. With all these, Hong Kong can be the financing, risk management and professional services hub for infrastructure projects. The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has also brought unprecedented opportunities to Hong Kong and enterprises that work with Hong Kong.

     Mr Chan will leave Russia today (June 8, St Petersburg time) and return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on June 9.

    

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (June 8) will be cancelled.